Critique of Practical Reason

Kant proposes a “method of pure practical reason” (121), by which he means a plan for applying his principles of practical reason to education and everyday life. Based on conversations held between people from different walks of life, Kant believes that the best way to persuade people to strive toward fulfillment of the moral law is through debates over the good or evil behavior of other people. However, instead of focusing solely on people of exceptional virtue, Kant argues that such lessons must come from “observance of common and everyday obligation” (124). Elaborating on the point, Kant remarks that morality is clear through “common human reason” (124). He gives the example of Anne Boleyn, falsely accused of adultery by King Henry VIII, who refuses to lie about what happened, even though she would be rewarded for doing so, and is instead executed because of her refusal.

Lessons concerning moral duty are more compelling and instructive for Kant than stories with “melting, tender feelings or high-flown, puffed-up pretensions” (125). Kant suggests that feelings are not reliable vehicles for moral lessons because they only have an impact when “they are at their height and before they calm down” (125).